Arrest in Santee for slaying of former El Cajon woman

EAST COUNTY  The body of a former El Cajon resident was discovered last month in Tuolumne County, and a man suspected in her slaying was arrested Monday in Santee, authorities said.

Christina Marie Pierce’s remains were found at a campground where she and the suspect, Pete Frank Dominguez, 39, formerly of Ocean Beach, were believed to have been living together, El Cajon police Lt. Steve Shakowski said.

An autopsy determined Pierce, 42, died of asphyxiation.

Pierce had lived in El Cajon for some time, then moved to Northern California in February, Shakowski said. Pierce’s mother lost contact with her and reported her missing on April 23, he said.

Investigators received tips that Pierce and Dominguez had been staying at the River Ranch Campground in Tuolumne County. Cadaver dogs found her decomposed remains at the campground on Aug. 26, Shakowski said.

Tuolumne County sheriff’s Detective Kelvin Moses said investigators interviewed Dominguez as part of their initial missing person’s case, and again after Pierce’s remains were identified.

“A lot of things he told us were inconsistent,” Moses said Tuesday.

He said investigators believe they know a motive for the slaying, but he declined to say what it was.

A warrant was issued for Dominguez’s arrest on suspicion of homicide. Moses said investigators received various leads that Dominguez, who had lived in Ocean Beach and in East County, had returned to San Diego County.

Four Tuolumne County sheriff’s detectives and El Cajon police took Dominguez into custody in Santee about 2 p.m. Monday. Moses said investigators were at a home on Prospect Avenue, asking residents about Dominguez, when he walked up to them.

Dominguez was booked into jail. He will be taken back to Tuolumne County on Wednesday to face charges, Moses said.